Catamenial article



Dec. 5, 1939. R. M. PREVIN 2,182,702,

CATAMENIAL ARTICLE F iled Oct. 29, 1957 Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED s'raresrear orrlcr.

1 Claim.

My invention relates to feminine hygiene and more particularly to a catamenial article or device adapted to supplant the known means of sanitary protection and the accompanying disadvantages.

The main object is to provide a novel sanitary means adapted to be inserted and removed Without irritation and to remain comfortably in place within the vagina and in registration with the uterus throughout the entire menstrual period, into which the menstruum drains and from which it is periodically discharged.

The more specific objects and advantages will in part be pointed out hereinafter and otherwise become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating one operative embodiment by way of example.

In said drawing:

Figure l is a view in diagram of the human body from one side with the invention in place;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the article;

Figure 3 is an elevation of the article from. the side opposite to Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the article, taken on an enlarged scale;

Figure 5 is a detail section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of an inserter which may be employed.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts, I!) designates a container or sack of such size and shape as to substantially fill the space of the vagina and be completely disposed and of itself removably retained within the vagina. An inlet opening II is provided in the sack It) at the front portion thereof adjacent the top and it is surrounded by an annular rim or continuous wall l2 disposed in front of the container substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container or sack l0.

Said container or sack l0 and rim l2 are preferably integral and made of light weight, thin,

' elastic and smooth sanitary. or surgical rubber or any equivalent material having the desired flexibility.

Marginally of the said rim I2, is an annulus 13, preferably of the same material as the sack and rim, either integral therewith or embedded therein, such annulus being sufiiciently stable and of such tension as to reinforce the rim and retain its ring shape and to seek such shape when defiected therefrom. When inoperative position within the vagina, the annulus I3 is under tenannulus also provide continuous contact with the said interior wall of the vagina about the uterus to avoid any danger of leakage of the menstrual fluid about the mouth or inlet opening l I.

At desired location through the rim and/or the upper portion of the container H3, vents M are l 115 provided, which are so minute that they prevent passage of the menstrual fluid therethrough although permitting the entrance of air.

Depending from the lower end of the container ii), is a discharge tube l5, for instance of the same material as and integral with the container l0 and rim l2. This tube is of materially less diameter than container l0 and it normally hangs outside of the vagina although capable of being folded back and tucked approximately as a continuation of the back portion or wall of the container within the vagina against the container, if desired. The lower end or wall of the container I0 is substantially entirely forwardly of the tube l5 and contacts the vagina wall and thus aids in maintaining the container in place.

The lower or free end of the discharge tube [5 is adapted to be normally maintained closed against leakage in any suitable manner. For example, screw threads l6 are provided at such discharge end of the tube, which are detachably engaged by the threads of a screw cap ll, preferably tethered to the tube by a string or cord [8 of rubber like container It or of textile material as preferred. Said threads l6, cap I1 may be of rubher, if desired, preferably elastic or the threads l6 and cap ll may be metallic, of synthetic resin composition or otherwise, the threads in such case being on a tube I6.

The article is capable of insertion by the fingers into the Vagina and the material of the rim I2 is so thin that in cases of. doubt as to registration of the opening I l with the uterus, the latter may be gaged by a finger contacting the outside surface of the rim. Pockets l9 are provided on the exterior of the rim l2 which are engageable by the tips of the fingers to aid the aforesaid insertion of the article.

An applicator or inserter 20 of metal or any other desired material may be employed in lieu of the fingers, essentially having tines spaced apart as at 2|, their free ends being adapted to enter the said pockets IS.

The rim II has an eye 22 to facilitate removal of the article from the vagina. This eye 22 may be engaged by a hook 23 provided on the applicator 20 so that pulling of the latter will remove the article. The hook may optionally be provided on the screw cap I! as at 24 and the cap I! used as a means to remove the article. Hook 23 also forms a means for attaching the tethering element l8 to the cap, such element for instance having an opening engaging such element.

In the use of the article, with cap I! in place, the article at rim l I is deflected into substantially oval shape and then inserted into the vagina by means of the fingers or with the aid of the applicator or inserter 20, with opening H registering with the uterus and the latter surrounded by the rim l2 which contacts the wall of the vagina, thereby preventing leakage and insuring drainage of the menstrual fluid through opening H into the sack or container H]. The device remains in the vagina during the entire period but is drained periodically, say once or twice a day, upon removing cap or closure l1, incidental to which removal the discharge tube is pinched by the fingers to close the same to prevent premature discharge. At the end of the period, the device is removed from the vagina through the engagement of hook 23 or 24 with eye 22 and subsequent pulling of the applicator 20 or screw cap I! as the case may be. It will be realized that, if desired, the fingers of the user need not touch the article, either in connection with its insertion, removal or other operation, since the cap I! may be engaged directly by sanitary tissue or the like held in the hands.

The article will remain in place of itself, is comfortable, non-irritating, avoids the danger of leakage and accident, avoids the frequent changes and consequent irritation incident to napkins and the equivalent, is sanitary, may be repeatedly used and kept in a sanitary condition between periods, and the wearing thereof does not interfere with urination and bowel evacuation. When not in use, the article may be readily collapsed and folded or rolled into exceedingly compact form, enabling it to be carried on the person.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

An article of the class described having an elastic container for disposition within the vagina and of a size to substantially fill the space thereof, said container being elongated and in cluding a front portion, a rear portion and a bottom Wall, said front portion having an inlet opening to register with the cervix, a relatively wide continuous rim about said opening, said rim being disposed in a plane in front of said front portion in substantial parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the container, a discharge tube, said discharge tube being relatively small in cross section and integral with the container and depending from the bottom wall of the container approximately as a continuation of the back portion of the container, said bottom wall being substantially entirely in front of said tube and constructed and arranged to contact and be supported by the labia from below, said discharge tube being of a length to extend below the vagina, and closure means adjacent the lower end of the tube.

RUTH M. PREVIN. 

